Early Music Vancouver

After her nearly sold out performance with Tafelmusik last Fall at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, EMV is thrilled to have Rachel Podger return to Vancouver as Guest Director of the Pacific Baroque Orchestra. They will join forces to present Vivaldi's immortal The Four Seasons. Her interpretation has been described as one which honours "the humour, invention, good spirits, and marvellous interplay of colours that have made Vivaldi's irresistibly tuneful concerto a perennial classic." (Stereophile)

More Praise for Rachel Podger:

"bewitching virtuosity"
BBC Music Magazine

"In her hands the violin sings like a soprano, blares like a trumpet, whispers and even wheedles like a crying child"
Gramophone

"Her calibration of a playful spontaneity with precision prove[s] beguiling."
The Strad

EMV's production of Orfeo will include an orchestra filled with rarely heard period instruments. Monteverdi's masterpiece was composed at a time of transition for the music of Europe, from Renaissance to Baroque. It was also a time of flourishing invention. To create this unique sonic landscape, EMV has brought together some of the finest players of these period instruments to form a 20 piece band. Together, these players will recreate a musical language over 400 years old.

Join us July 31 and August 2 at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts to hear these incredible instruments bring Orfeo to life.

Want to discover more about period instruments? Head to our website where we dive deep into some of the instruments that will be played in Orfeo, such as the lirone, and the theorbo.

This is your last chance to apply for EMV's 2026 Emerging Artist Competition, applications close tomorrow - May 15. There are three possible prizes:

The Future Prize:
Awarded to a project showing clear, innovative ideas and musical excellence.
$3,500 CAD, your project featured on our website, YouTube channel and social media, plus, a 30-minute interview in our Artist Interview Series.

The Spark Award:
Awarded to a project showing strong creative promise.
$1,500 CAD, your project featured on our website, YouTube channel and social media, plus, personalized feedback on your application by the judges.

The Göttingen Prize:
This is a new special prize in collaboration with the Göttingen International Handel Festival. Your project featured on our website, YouTube channel and social media, plus an invitation to perform in the prestigious Göttingen International Handel Festival in May, 2027 (Travel and accommodation covered).

Head to our website to find out more.

Send your application to Sarah Pelzer at [email protected]. The next step in your musical career awaits!

There is only one week left to apply for EMV's Emerging Artist Competition.

Head to our website to find out more and apply today!

Tickets for EMV’s Summer Festival are now on sale to the general public 🎶

Swipe through to explore an eclectic and exciting lineup, from a fully staged production of Orfeo by Claudio Monteverdi, to The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi performed by Pacific Baroque Orchestra with guest director Rachel Podger. These highlights will be presented alongside 8 other events celebrating music from the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods.

All Events:

Monteverdi’s Orfeo | July 31 & August 2
Bach Dances | August 1
The Compass Rose | August 1
Pien d’amoroso affetto… / With Amorous Affections | August 4
Lachrimae | August 4
Florilegium: Songs of Medieval England | August 5
Die schöne Müllerin | August 5
Songline: Musical Hike | August 6
Beethoven & Schubert Trios | August 6
Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons | August 7

Head to earlymusic.bc.ca to secure your tickets today.

First Photo Credit: Chelsey Stuyt

It is with great disappointment that we must announce that Philippe Jaroussky's scheduled concert on May 1 has been cancelled, along with other dates on his North American tour - due to issues securing US visas.

All ticket holders will be refunded their purchase, and we are already working to have him join us for a season in the future.

If you have any questions please feel free to email [email protected]